Happy new year! As classes start this week, here is a quick icebreaker idea you can use on the first day or as a warmup throughout the semester. If you’re like me, calling roll at the beginning of class reminds me of grade school and feels somewhat old fashioned. But it can actually familiarize your students to one another’s names, a first step toward building a sense of classroom community. Now here’s where the fun part comes in. Instead of students answering “here” or “present,” have your students respond with one or two words that answer your get-to-know-you question of the day, such as:

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Where would you most like to travel in the world?

What is something you have always wanted to learn to do?

What is the most important quality in a person?

What was your first job?

On occasion, some unexpected answers might lead to a short story. This is a great way to encourage fluency and it further helps students get to know one another.